Wednesday 30 November 2016 09:41, UK
David Prutton is back with his latest predictions for the EFL this weekend, including the outcomes for Aston Villa, Leeds, Derby and Newcastle.
With Ian Holloway heading back to QPR a fortnight ago, former midfielder Prutton takes his turn again with 10 games from the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two.
Here's how he sees ten of the weekend's games going...
This is a bit of a derby, and for that reason and that reason alone, I think we'll see a bit more fight from Rotherham. But it's not just fight they need, it's quality as well.
With Leeds having seen the benchmark that Newcastle set, and having worked on the training ground, I think you'll see a Leeds side that want to get back into that top six. For a club of that statute, top six is what they should be aiming for this season.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-2
Villa are on their best unbeaten run in five years, which is flabbergasting. Even though Cardiff got a win against Huddersfield last weekend I think Villa will be too strong for them here, and their home form has been the one constant this season. I'll go for a Villa win.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet's odds: 15/2)
Fulham have only lost once away, and that was at Villa who are yet to lose at home, and more often than not when we see them away they are very strong.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet's odds: 5/1)
These are good times for Derby at the moment, not necessarily the greatest times for Norwich, who have lost their last four. They're just not clicking at the moment, and Derby are full of confidence.
They've scored eight goals in their last three games, and Darren Bent has got going again, despite being in and out of the team in recent years with different managers.
I think off the back of a good win against Rotherham, I fancy Derby in this one.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet's odds: 15/2)
On paper, this looks a home banker, people will be expecting. What's impressed me so much about Newcastle, especially in the win against Leeds last week, is their management of the game, the intensity.
I can't see their winning run ending against Blackburn, who have at least got a few wins on the board after that dismal start to the season. The league position does reflect their inconsistency, and it couples with their away form, with just one win all season.
They had a big slice of luck to win at home against Brentford last week, and I can only see a Newcastle win.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet's odds: 9/2)
With Ollie going in, they had a fantastic start, albeit with a massive helping hand from Martin Olsson. Ipswich just didn't turn up live on Sky against Forest last weekend, losing 2-0. It sounds like the Ipswich fans are getting a bit restless.
Mick McCarthy would have been drilling into his team all week the importance of starting well in this one. What I think we'll see is that new manager bounce against a current manager giving his team a kick up the backside, so I'm going for a score draw.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet's odds: 9/2)
It's a funny time for Bristol City, who are making incremental steps up the Championship. We've seen them ebb and flow this season, and they haven't won in four in all competitions.
But I think Lee Johnson has said all season this is very much a building job.
For Reading, Garath McCleary is in wonderful form, and with the ever-reliable Chris Gunter and Paul McShane at the back. They've only lost against Villa at home this season, which says it all.
I think the team is beginning to be made in Jaap Stam's image.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet's odds: 10/1)
I was going to talk about the impact that the new manager Karl Robinson might have on Charlton, but having won the last two, scoring seven goals, you can't really say that. Hopefully he's going to hit the ground running.
Hopefully Charlton are moving to the next step, whereby the fans in the stadium can enjoy themselves, which is what going to football is all about.
But they're up against a Sheffield United team who have won their last two, and will be a very difficult proposition, so I'm going for a draw.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet's odds: 5/1)
Scunthorpe are looking for six on the bounce, and in the bigger picture look a good bet for automatic promotion. But then Oxford United have won their last two - against Coventry and then Gillingham - so both teams are in good form.
But I just feel that with Scunthorpe at home, where they haven't lost all season in the league, especially having played there myself, they'll have too much for Oxford.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet's odds: 8/1)
I'll be looking out for this. Carlisle have got an old team-mate of mine, Mike Jones, who seems to be playing the more experienced, mature role than I can remember him playing at Sheffield Wednesday. He's now trying to dictate the play in central midfield.
Carlisle were on a huge unbeaten run, then lost to Newport, beat Exeter and drew against Grimsby, I think they could with a home win here to just get them back on the tracks. Mansfield have won their last two, but I can see the hosts edging this.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet's odds: 15/2)
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